Meet Mark

Let me introduce myself. My name is Mark Sisson. I’m 63 years young. I live and work in Malibu, California. In a past life I was a professional marathoner and triathlete. Now my life goal is to help 100 million people get healthy. I started this blog in 2006 to empower people to take full responsibility for their own health and enjoyment of life by investigating, discussing, and critically rethinking everything we’ve assumed to be true about health and wellness...

The J.J. Experiment: Week 3

Three weeks ago, the J.J. Experiment began (week 2). J.J. Valdivia, a personal trainer in Miami, is guiding ten people as they take a 30-Day Leap into a healthy lifestyle. Let?s find out how they?re doing?

My fellow Grok and Grokettes,

It was a busy week for myself and the Leapers. Last Friday, I was joined by Mike and Georgina for a quick bodyweight session at Body Waves. They performed two sets of maximum repetitions of each of the Primal movements, and they were back at their desk before you could say “Power Bar.”

I then joined Elaine, Thor, and my boss Kim for a “Primal Feast” lunch outside of our offices in beautiful downtown Miami. Elaine munched on left over rib eye and salmon with veggies from the night before. Thor and I packed our “Big Ass Salads” and Kim foraged the cafeteria for Tilapia with avocado cream sauce and veggies.

On Monday, I was thrilled to welcome back Lourdes from her South American business trip! Not only did she return six pounds lighter, but she also had a great sprint session with me on Monday as well as a bodyweight workout on Tuesday with Sandra.

The weight seems to be flying off my Leapers and some have already lost over 10 pounds! More importantly, they feel great and I am convinced that this will be much more for them than just a 30 day trial.

On Tuesday, I had the pleasure of welcoming a very “special guest” to Miami. I headed to MIA and picked up the “Big Kahuna” himself, Mark Sisson! I thought I was excited when this challenge started, but meeting Mark took it to the next level. That night he joined some friends and I for dinner. If anyone has any doubt that this man doesn’t practice what he preaches, then let me just say that it was the first time I had ever seen anyone trim the lean part off of a 22 oz. rib eye and eat the fat! All jokes aside, we had a fantastic time and it was one of the most memorable experiences of my life. On Wednesday, I had the honor of introducing Mark to about 180 of our employees for a Primal Blueprint talk. It lasted about 1 hour and there was a brief Q&A afterward. There were many intrigued faces in the crowd and I think that his talk really resonated with a lot of people.

That afternoon, Mark joined some of the Leapers and I for a game of Ultimate Frisbee. It was the first time any of us had played and I can honestly say that it was some of the most fun I have ever had. I will definitely make this sport a regular part of my “Play” days from now on.

Royal Caribbean had it’s annual Fitness Fair on Thursday from 11 to 3. Mark stayed for that as well and we sold over 100 autographed copies of the Primal Blueprint and the Primal Blueprint Cookbook combined.

From the fitness fair, Mark and I headed back to the airport and he was off to Malibu. These were 3 of the most exciting days of my life and I think the Leapers really got a lot out of it. It was great motivation to finish the second half of this challenge strong and to continue living Primally for the rest of their lives. I knew from the moment I first read the Primal Blueprint that it was the right way to live. Meeting Mark and seeing him in action made this even clearer to me and I will continue on my Primal journey and spread this knowledge to as many people as I can. I cannot thank Mark enough for this experience and for coming down to Miami and showing us all at Royal Caribbean how to truly live up to our genetic potential.

J.J.

From Lourdes Davila’s Journal

Hail to the Chief!!! This week was a great week for us Royal Caribbean Leapers….we had a opportunity to meet Mark Sisson, listen to a live presentation of Primal Blueprint and even play a little Ultimate Frisbee.

As for my progress, I lost another pound and now have logged (-7 lbs) in 15 days. Also, I kicked up the exercise this week and have incorporated, several long and short walks, a sprint workout, 35 minute strength training and some fun (Frisbee).

I feel steady…no cravings and always satisfied. It’s important to control what I’m eating, so I’m very grateful for my partner’s support–always willing to cook up a primal meal and go grocery shopping for healthy snacks. Check out the pictures below of our latest shopping spree at whole foods. I managed to shop the perimeter of the store.

In case you haven’t noticed, losing weight and getting healthy is a big task, a personal goal I’ve struggled with most of my adult life. This time I have so much support and it’s really making a difference in my mind set and my results. Thank you fellow Leapers, JJ, Mark and all my colleagues who have been supportive with words of encouragement and even Primal recipes.

Bradley’s Success Story

This is Bradley Stein. He is Royal’s general council and my first Grok star. Bradley started training with me over one year ago and was the very first of my clients to switch to a primal lifestyle. Before training with me, he had never lifted weights before. He was also on Lipitor for “high” cholesterol. Since going Primal, Bradley is now off Lipitor and his cholesterol has dropped by 50 points! He lifts heavy things twice a week, sprints once a week, and walks at least 2 hours a week. Bradley is a great guy and his success on the PB is truly inspirational.

J.J.

It was an honor to be invited out to Miami and and a pleasure to meet everyone involved with the Primal Leap. Many thanks to J.J. for orchestrating everything and much encouragement goes out to all the Leapers. Stay Primal!

Wow, so inspirational! I wish some of my friends and family could have this type of support. I know it would help them succeed. I try my best from afar, but it’s not the same as what these leapers are getting. I love it and I hope to see it happening all over the place again and again. And maybe if it happens where some of my family live, then they can jump on board as well.

A primal cruise? Now, there’s an oxymoron! Well, unless we all gathered on a beach somewhere and proceeded to cut down trees (sanz chainsaw) to build a giant raft (and don’t forget the paddles), weaving yucca fibers together to make some rope with which to tie the logs together. That would be a decidedly primal affair even before hitting the water. We’d all have to quit our day jobs, though… hmm…

A shout out to J.J. and the Royal Carribean crew on their successes! I’ve educated a few friends and family members on the lifestyle successfully, also, and hope to get a bunch of friends on board while living and recording down in Nashville this winter.

Unrelated question… anyone have a particularly good tactic for convincing older relatives of these concepts, or must you live with and cook for them to make it happen? I’m house-sitting for my Aunt & Uncle and they don’t have a single thing that’s edible (by our standards) in their refrigerator or cupboards… both have health issues, of course. Meanwhile, there’s a thriving farmer’s market, meat markets left and right, etc… and they stick with their Kraft singles (barf), Russel Stover chocolate (barf) and low-fat this and that (barf). It’s getting to the point where if they don’t do something, it will be too late and they will be in pain and misery for the rest of their days. Maybe I should just express my concern for them as sincerely as possible. Suggestions?

Satchel, I am the “older relative” ! I am a grandma who discovered the Primal Blueprint when I was 60. (It’s never too late to learn.) It has changed my life and I feel (and look) better than I did 10 years ago. But can I convince my family to change their diets? Not a chance. They are low-fat, processed carbs all the way. I’m the one who can’t find anything to eat when I visit!